Giving Tuesday Now

Countryside YMCA Responds to Urgent COVID19 Needs
Joining #GivingTuesdayNow in Global Day of Giving and Unity

[Lebanon, OH] Although the doors to our fitness facilities are closed, Countryside YMCA is responding to meet the needs of Warren County now by offering pandemic childcare, providing healthy meals and snacks to children, connecting with our senior population, and offering free virtual fitness and educational classes.

"This work is essential to our community, and the Y is in a unique position to provide these services," said Countryside YMCA CEO Chris Johnson. "We have already received supporting grants and donations for which we are extremely grateful. We are dedicated to continuing this critical mission work and thus seek additional financial support. That's why we are joining in the #GivingTuesdayNow global day of giving."

#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 – in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. The day is designed to drive an influx of generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for communities and nonprofits around the world.

For more than 40 years, Countryside YMCA has continuously evolved to meet changing needs in Warren County. We reach more than 3,000 people every year in Warren County through programs that help people like LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, Outreach preschool programs, Afterschool Programs, Begin to Swim, Camps, financial assistance for memberships and more. Since the COVID-19 situation arose, the Y shifted its focus and quickly responded to changing needs.

"Until we can reopen, we will continue to do the work that is needed to keep our children safe, our seniors connected and our community healthy, said Johnson. "But we can't do it alone. We believe participating in GivingTuesdayNow is one way to engage the community to continue supporting the Y."

Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday, said, "As a global community, we can mourn this moment of extreme crisis while also finding the opportunity to support one another. We each have the power to make an impact with acts of generosity, no matter how small, and to ensure the sustainability of organizations and services that are crucial to the care and support of our communities."

GoFundMe is also currently providing matching funds for non-profits who raise $1,000 in ten or more donations from now through May 10, 2020. Those interested in joining Countryside YMCA's #GivingTuesdayNow efforts can visit https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/giving-tuesday-now19. 

For more details about the GivingTuesday movement, visit the GivingTuesday website (www.givingtuesday.org), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday) or follow @GivingTuesday and #GivingTuesdayNow on Twitter. For youth interested in joining the movement, visit GivingTuesdayKids.org for inspiration and project ideas.

About Countryside YMCA
Countryside YMCA- one of the world's largest YMCAs – is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the Warren County community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For over 40 years, Countryside YMCA has embodied the Christian principles that help people achieve a balance of spirit, mind and body. All are welcome to experience the unmatched facilities, outreach, and varied programs available only at the Y. www.countrysideymca.org

About GivingTuesday
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past eight years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

#GivingTuesdayNow is organized by GivingTuesday, in partnership with its global network of leaders, partners, communities and generous individuals. GivingTuesday is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.